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September 11 Events: Ongoing Resources
Please click any of the links below for further information.
Statement from George Bahamonde, President & Chief Executive Officer
Statement from George Bahamonde, President and Chief Executive Officer
Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?
On the radio and in the movies, The Shadow knew, but in real life it is much more difficult. The events of September 11, 2001 have taught us that sometimes we can’t even imagine the degree of evil that in fact lurks in some hearts.
It is still difficult for a sane, adult mind to process the horror of what took place on September 11, 2001. The images, sensations and emotions of that terrible day a year ago will be with us for the rest of our lives, always defying rational explanation. So, too, will be the knowledge of the pain experienced by families who lost a loved one.
As we continue to grieve, we have the opportunity to start anew and rededicate ourselves to the task at hand. We can find a way to play a role and do something positive in response to the events on September 11, 2001. We will never forget that terrible day. But we can’t do anything to change what happened. September 11th, although weighing heavy on our hearts and minds, is now part of history. Our challenge is to look to the future.
What happened following the tragic events reminds us of how caring and generous the American people are. From the standpoint of charitable contributions, volunteering and giving blood, Americans responded at a level that is unprecedented in our history. More than two billion dollars was contributed through a variety of charitable organizations.
When John Paul Jones uttered the words, "I have yet begun to fight," he stood on the deck of a ship that was badly damaged. The Bonhomme Richard could barely stay afloat. But Captain Jones stood not on the deck of a battered and damaged ship, he stood on the spirit of the people whose nation it represented and from whose shore it set sail. On September 11th many of our sisters and brothers perished in the rubble of great structures that were destroyed; yet their death has fortified our spirit and resolve. The spirit that was undamaged and unfazed on that ship two centuries ago remains undamaged and unfazed today.
Volunteer Solutions: Click here to connect to our Volunteer Solutions website, which will provide you with volunteer opportunities linked with your interests.
12 Ways to Get Involved in Our Community
1. Sponsor tolerance workshops for your community.
2. Gather a group of friends and volunteer to cook and serve a meal at a homeless shelter.
3. Organize a community dinner that recognizes and discusses diversity and tolerance among religious and ethnic groups. Send proceeds to the United Way Community Campaign.
4. Donate blood at your local Red Cross Station. Remember to call first to make an appointment.
5. Seek out or provide counseling support to those in trauma that have been personally affected by the tragedy.
6. Volunteer at a local food bank to sort and package donated food. Call Foodshare for more information at (860) 688-6500 or click here.
7. Offer volunteer support to local fire, police, and health departments.
8. Deliver meals to homebound seniors or individuals with disabilities. Call VNA Health Care, Inc. for more information, (860) 249-4862, or click here.
9. Visit a nursing home or homebound elder to comfort and converse with seniors. Give those that might be living in isolation an outlet for discussion and support.
10. Organize a brown bag lunch at your place of work to discuss the anniversary of September 11th.
11. Organize a community discussion between various houses of worship to promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.
12. Take a First Aid/CPR course to prepare yourself to respond in an emergency. If you are already trained, organize a course at your place of work, neighborhood center, or house of worship to teach others these life saving skills. For local classes, click here.
2-1-1: This free, 24 hour information and referral
service supported by Connecticut United Ways and the State of Connecticut, can
provide resources for parents or anyone dealing with the emotional aftermath of
yesterday’s tragic events. You can also visit
www.infoline.org.
For those living outside of Connecticut, the Girls and Boys Town
National Hotline: 1- 800-448-3000 provides free, 24 hour information and
referral services, specializing in resources for young people and parents in
crisis.
9/11 A History: The Family and Work Institute anticipated that educators would need appropriate materials to help them mark September 11th, 2002 with young people. They have created a collection of 16 unique, commemorative, Web-based lesson plans, tied to national educational standards for pre-k through grade 12, as well as a series of tips for parents and educators on how best to talk with children about 9/11. These resources are free.
About Our Kids: Provides practical steps and guidelines to help children deal with September 11th.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Provides information to assist in talking with children about War and Terrorism.
American Psychiatric Association: Provides information on 9-11 studies that found media exposure may provoke PTSD symptoms.
Catholic Family Services - Capitol Region Office: CFS employs trained Disaster Behavioral Health Intervention counselors and counselors trained in critical incident debriefing. Both services are available upon request. Please call Galo Rodriguez, Capitol Region Director, at (860) 522-8241.
Educators for Social Responsibility: Their website has excellent guidance for parents to help talk with their children about the September 11 events.
Grief and Loss: AARP has developed a grief and loss program and resources that are open to everyone.
Helping America Cope: 7-Dippity, Inc. and Annette La Greca, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics of the University of Miami, have created Helping America Cope. This 40-page guide contains activities and strategies to help parents and children cope with their feelings resulting from the September 11 attacks, the ongoing war on terrorism and continued terrorist threats. It also provides coping strategies that deal with fears and managing anger. It is available in both English and Spanish editions.
Helping Children Deal with Terrorism and Tragedy: More Online Resources
Jewish Family Service of Greater Hartford: Counseling is available for children and adults. Please call (860) 236-1927.
Salvation Army: Counseling is available upon request at churches throughout Connecticut. Please call (860) 543-8400.
Self-Care Tips for Dealing with Stress: Covers things to remember when trying to understand disaster events, signs that adults need stress management assistance, and ways to ease stress.
The Village for Families & Children: Trauma service is available upon request for individuals or groups. Please call (860) 236-4511.
Weekly
Reader: Weekly Reader, an institution in public schools
for a century, will dedicate its September issues to helping teachers and
students commemorate the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Each
magazine will provide age-appropriate coverage to help students understand the
attacks and their aftermath.
Wheeler
Clinic: Counseling is available
upon request. A 24-hour crisis response team and an employee assistance program
are both available. Please call (800) 793-3588.
September
11th Fund
Four months after establishing The
September 11th Fund, The New York Community Trust and United Way of New York
City decided they would no longer accept new donations to the Fund. The Fund's
current resources, when combined with those of the American Red Cross, other
charities and local, state and federal government, are appropriate to accomplish
its goals. To date, the Fund has received $501 million in contributions from
individuals, corporations and foundations in 50 states, three U.S. protectorates
and 150 countries. Remaining funds will be used in coordination with other
organizations to identify gaps and ensure that the long-term needs of victims,
families and communities affected by the terrorist attacks are met. Donors are
asked to consider redirecting their contributions to other charities to meet
long-standing community needs that the Fund, because its mandate is limited to
those affected by September 11th, cannot help. To learn more about how the
September 11th Fund is helping victims of 9/11, please click
here.
For more information, please contact our Helpline at (860) 493-6895 or click here to contact us through email.
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United Way of the Capital Area
30 Laurel Street
Hartford, CT 06106-1374
Phone: (860) 493-6800
Fax: (860) 493-6809